Ellen S. Posivach, former City Manager of Tarpon Springs, passed away on March 8, 2014, after a brief illness. Ellen served as an Assistant City Manager in both Hopewell and Richmond, Virginia; and also worked for the Virginia Municipal League and the City of Norfolk, Virginia. Ellen received numerous professional and personal awards during her distinguished career: FORBES named Tarpon Springs one of the 25 Best Managed Small Cities in America in 2004; from the Government Finance Officers Association came the Certificate for Excellence in Financial Reporting; Lifetime Professional Recognition Award, Life Member, Virginia Local Government Management Association; Outstanding Assistant City Manager, Marcia Mashaw Memorial Award, VLGMA; International City/County Management Association Annual International Community Partnership Program Excellence Award, Tarpon Springs Affordable Housing Partnership, 2007; ICMA Annual International Program Excellence Award, Programs for the Disadvantaged in Memory of Carolyn Keane, Tarpon Springs Gro-Group; Exemplary Program Award, Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, Tarpon Springs Library Small Business Center; Virginia Municipal League Annual Achievement Award for Citizen Communications; Harvard Innovations Program, Recognition Award for Community Oriented Policing, Richmond, Virginia, to name a few. Professional affiliations include 15 year member of Florida League of Cities; 37 year membership in ICMA; Life member, Virginia Local Government Management Association. Ellen received her MPA and BA from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She received specialized training at the Senior Executive Institute at the University of Virginia and the National League of Cities Leadership Training Institute. Ellen was also deeply spiritual, a world traveler, loved animals, and beautiful beaches. She was a long time student of astrology and metaphysics. Ellen was the daughter of the late Daniel and Maxine Sheehan. She is survived by many friends who miss her dearly, and her beloved companion, Phoenix. A memorial service will be held at Dobie’s Funeral Home in Tarpon Springs on Sunday, May 25, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Suncoast Animal League in Palm Harbor, Florida.
